Sir:
I wrote you the eighth of this instant, since which I have received a letter from General Caswell, an extract from which I inclose you, & by which you will learn the drafts are raising fast in almost all the districts. You will find officers to receive them agreeable to the requisition of General Caswell. All the Officers should be collected at certain points immediately, and some place fixed upon to form the different Regiments, and the Officers appointed to their respective commands. All possible dispatch should be made use of to have this business executed as soon as may be. I beg you to exert yourself night and day to have it accomplished, and send me intelligence from time to time of your progress. You will remember to take measures in time for procuring arms and accourtrements of every kind to equip the men; without which your men would be of little use.
In Salisbury district it is said the drafts will be ready by the 25th
of this month, from which you will see that no time is to be lost in arranging the Officers.
“Most of our people are engaged in getting out men to compleat our Continental Battalions. Will you be pleased to direct an officer to attend at each of the following places, to receive the men on the 25th inst. viz. for the district of Edenton at Edenton, Newbern at Smithfield, Wilmington at Duplin Ct. House, Hallifax at Hallifax, Hillsborough at Hillsboro', & Salisbury at Salisbury.